NDDC board writes SGF over internal crisis

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) board has petitioned the government over the feud between the managing director Chibuzor Ugwuoha and Executive Director (Projects) Esoetuk Etteh.

In the petition, sent to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Yayale Ahmed, the board said the wrangling could derail the development of Niger Delta.

The petition, signed by NDDC chairman, Air Vice Marshall Larry Koinyan, noted the negative image the crisis had given the commission.

According to him, the inability of top management staff to work harmoniously for the execution of their responsibilities led to accusations and counter-accusations which have been brought to public domain.

"The Governing Board at various board meetings since inception had admonished, counselled, cautioned and warned the actors on the consequences of their actions, but without positive response from them," he said, adding: "The affected management staff had been cautioned over their actions to no avail.

He said if "appropriate steps" were not taken against the erring top management staff, their feud may derail the vision of Mr. President for the Niger Delta.

Koinyan said: "The board recommends that any erring officer (s) found culpable should be appropriately cautioned, penalised and, where possible, sanctioned by government to move the region forward. The board insists that their actions have regrettably slowed down the efforts of the commission to develop the region."

The board, he said, had resolved that there should be strict adherence to due process, in line with the provisions of the Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP) Act 2007, adding that any contract awarded without compliance with stipulated guidelines should be rejected.

But Ugwuohaâ€™s media aide, Abraham Ogbodo, said the letter was "unnecessary", noting that as chairman, AVM Koinyan is "trying to be on top of the matter".

He described the letter as "total exposure" of an issue that could be handled in-house.